Concrete mixer



C. K. MARKS ET AL CONCRETE MIXER Filed OC't, 5, 1929 4 SheetS--SheetI l ATTORNEYS.

L harflee K Mark' mvENToRS.

Dec. 9, 1930. c. K. MARKS ET AL CONCRETE MIXER Filed Oct. 5, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 las KMaFkEsNvEN-VORS.

IINELhUld ATTORNEYS.

ec 9 1936 c. K. MARKS ET AL 784371 CONCRETE MIXER Filed oct. 5, 1929 4 sheets-sheet s CHEF-IE5 K-Mark lNvENToR.

DEQ., 9, (1 K, MARKS ET AL CONCRETE MIXER Filed Oct. 5, 1929 4 SheetS--SheeTl 4 Char@ E5 K MarkS-INVENTORS wana? EWE-imballi ATTORNEYS.

Patented Dec. 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHARLES K. MARKS, OF WOMELSDORF, AND WALTER G. WEIN'HOLD, OF SHILLINGTON, y

' 9 PENNSYLVANIA i CONCRETE MIUR Application led October 5, 1929. Serial No. 397,556.

This invention relates to improvements in mixing devices, primarily intended for the mixing of cementitious materials, but the features of which may be otherwise used if found desirable and expedient.

The primary obj ect of this invention is the provision of an improved mixing device including a rotary mixing drum which may be portably mounted, and consisting of an-elongated container with improved means to pivotally mount the same selectively at either end; one end of the machine having a closure for the filling and discharge of materials with respect thereto.

A further object of `this invention is the provision of improved hoisting lmechanism for the cylinders or drums of concrete mixers. f

A. lfurther object of this invention is the provision of improved closure means for the filling and discharge openings of concrete mixers and the like.

A further object of this inventionis the provision of improvements in framesupporting means 4for the drums of concrete mixers.

Other objects and advantages of thisinvention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown but'a preferred embodiment of this invention,

Figure l is a side elevation of the improved' concrete mixer showing the same mountedV upon a chassis.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, showing the discharge position ofthe cylindrical drum upon its supporting framework.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view,I partly in section, showing the support of the mixing drum in a different angular relation than that shown in Figure 2, with the inlet vanddischarge end of the mixing drum elevated to permit the filling of the drum to capacity.

Figure 4 is a fragmentaryplan vlew, part-l ly in section, of details ofthe improved mixingdevice, with the mixing drum removed.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary rear elevation of the improved mixer.

ystantially on the line 11 11 of Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a pawl-like latch for the closure of the mixing drum, the view being taken substantially along the latch details as shown, on theline 7 7 of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of the details of the mixer framework, taken substantially on the line 8 8 of Figure 4.

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken through an adjustable feature of the bearing frame for the mixing drum, the view being taken substantially on the line 9 9 of Figure 5.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a bearing for a drivev portion of the rotary mixing drum.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken through details of the drive mechanism of the mixer drum, the view bein taken subigure 3.

Figure 12 is a sectional view taken through the operating cylinder of a hydraulically operated hoisting mechanism, showing dia.-

.- grammatically the meansy for pumping of a through the main body of the mixing drum, showing in section a type of concrete cleat used therein.

Figure 14 is a fragmentary cross section through the neck. of the drum, showing the type of cleat used therein.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter A v may generally designate the improved mixing device, which, preferably includes a truck chassis B having a base frame C, or sub-base mounted thereon, preferably detachable. On the base C is mounted a movable frame D which'cradles the mixing drum in rotary relation therein. Means F is provided at both the front and rear ends of the mixing drum frame D for pivoting the latter in a selected relation at either end upon the base frame C. A power plant G is provided for operating means H for hoisting the mixing drum in a.

cooperative relation with the means F, for determining the filling or discharge positions of the 4mixing drum. Means K is provided for cylindrical rotation of the mixing drum.

The truck chassis B of course includes the frame 20 supported upon running gear 21.

The sub-frame or base C preferably comprises the channel-shaped guide rails 22 and 23, shown in Figure 5 of the drawings, suitably connected at their rear ends by a cross rail 24, and at their forward ends having cross brace means including a platform 25, shown in Figure 4. Between the cross brace means 24 and 25, and in parallelism between the rails 22 and 23 there are longitudinal guide channels 27 and 28, the channels of which face the central axis of' the frame C, for guiding details of the lazy-tong hoist portion to be subsequently described.

The movable frame C which directly sup ports the rotary mixing drum E comprises the parallel angle rails 29 and 30, which are c0- operatively disposed above the rails 22 and 23 of the sub-base C. Suitable cross braces 32 and 33 are connected at their ends upon the angle rails 29 and 30, as shown in Figure 4, and which cross beams 32 and 33 support the channel-shaped guide rails 34 and 35 immediately above the channel rails 27 and 28 of the sub-base C, as shown in Figure 4. The channel-shaped guide rails 34 and 35 have the channels thereof facing the longitudinal axis of the device, for slidably guiding portions of the lazy tong hoisting device to be subsequently` described.

At the rear end thereof the rails 29 and 30 of the movable frame D supports a mixinfr drum cradle structure 35, and at the forwar end said rails support a similar mixing drum cradle 36. The cradles 35 and 36 are respectively mounted rearwardly and forwardly of the cross beams 32 and 33, but are not mounted on the extreme ends of the guide rails 29 and 30; the latter projecting rearwardly and forwardly for cooperative selective pivoting, by they means F, upon the sub-base O.

Each of the cradles 35 and 36 includes a pair of spaced plates 37 and 38 suitably connected in spaced relation by end channel standards 39. The plates are concavely formed at 41, as seen in Figure 5, to accommodate the lower sector of the mixing drum therein. The plates 37 and 38 support spool or pulley-like rollers 42 therein, in,`v any desired arrangement, prefera two-i`i1 number for each of the cradles and 36, which extend at their peripheries into the concavity 41 for rotatably receiving the mixing drum in a bearing relation there as 'shown in Figure 5. The plates 37 an 8 are of course suitably anchored, as shown at 45 to the beams 29 and 30. The plates 37 and 38 extend beyoud the frame beams 29 and 30, and the connecting portions 39 are in fact standards which extend upwardly in parallel relation at opposite sides of the frame, and at the upper ing the concavity of the arches for the bearf ing of the upper sector of the mixing drum therein, as shown in Figure 5.

As above mentioned the upper complementary bearing arches 47 and 48 are adjustable on the standards 39. The adjustment is more particularly shown in Figure 9 wherein it is shown that each of the posts 39, which are channel-shaped in cross section, has the opposite side flanges thereof longitudinally slotted at 52, for adjustably receiving transverse bolts 53 thereacross; the bolts 53 being bolted to the plates 49 and 50 of the respective cradles 47 and 48. The adjustment of: the upperbearing cradles 47 and 48 is necessitated by reason of unevenness of different mixing drums, and to compensate for wear thereon. It is readily apparent that the vertical slo'ts 52 in the standards 39 permit of such adjustment of the cradles 47, and in order that the rollers 52 will clamp effectively upon the mixing drum and prevent vibration of' the latter, a draw bolt 55 is provided, secured in pivoted relation at its lower end to a cross bolt 57, secured upon the standard, extending upwardly along the standard and adjustably bolted at 572L to a plate 58 which may be fixedly mounted on each end of each of the upper cradles 47 and 48, as will be readily 'apparent from Figure 9.

\ lIt w'll be more particularly mentioned hereinafter that the rotary mixing drum bears in these complementa-ry cradle portions on an axis parallel with the movable frame D.

Each end of each of the movable frame rails 29 and 30 is formed in a bifurcated rex?P T tion to provide spacedoutwardly extendi t, fingers 61 and 62 which supports a. cross pin 63 in end facing relation. The sub-base frame C is provided with vertical bearing extensions 64, best illustrated in Figure 8 of the drawings, and also shown in Figure 5, which are secured at 65 to the inner sides of said base rails 22 and 23, and which extend upwardly and at their upper ends are provided with sockets 67 for receiving the pins 63 above describedv in a pivoting bearing relation therein. Inasmuch as the pins 63 are axially aligned at their respective ends of the frameD, it is apparent that the frame D may be pivoted axially at either end of' the frame C, as is shown in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings. Of course, in the absence of some restraining means, thV pivot pins 63 might jump out of their respective bearing sockets 67. To prevent such occurrence, there is provided for each pin 63 a detent hook 70, pivoted at 71 intermediate its ends upon the respective bearing extensions 64, as shown in Figures 8; the upper end of each hook being hook-shaped at 73 and in position Where the same may be readily moved into a hooked or released relation with respect to the pin 63 when resting in its bearing 64. A counter-weight 68 is provided at the lower end of each hook 70 at the opposite side of its pivot 7l from the hook head 73, the function of which is to normally swing the detent into a restraining relation with its pin 63. A lowering of the vframe D from an elevated position will permit the pins 63, by means of the placement of the hooks 7 0Y and their counterbalanced position, to ride over the arcuated or sloping edges 77 at the top of the hooks 73, and swing said hooks by pressure so as to permit the pins 63 to enter their respective bearings 64.

In addition to the detent 70 there is provided at both the rear and forward ends of the frame C, for the pairs of rear and front hooks 70,restraining means which will prevent the swinging of the hooks 70 toa released relation with the pins 63, and thus holdingl the same in a bearing relation when it is desired to swing the rotary mixer on a front or rear axis, as preferred. Thus, as shown in igure 5 transverse shafts 80 are employed, suitably bearing at 81 on the details of the frame C, which are provided with crank-like offsets 84 for each of the counterweighted ends of the hooks 70; thel cra-nk portions 84 being in the nature of loops which may be sli ped over the weighted ends of the hooks 0, as shown in Figure 8, to hold said hooks in a position where the pins 63 resting in the bearings 64 cannot become detached from the latter. The front and rear restraining rods are identical. The rear restraining rod 80 is operated by means of a sidevcrank 86, shown in Figure 1, and the front restraining rod 80 has a crank 87, shown in Figure 1, at a side of the frame C to which a connectin rod 88 extends rearwardly; the latter having an opera-ting handdle or lever 89 pivoted on a beam at a side of the frame base C, as shown in Figure 1. Figure 2 shows more particularly the position of the front restraining rod 8O and, its crank-like loop 84.

lt is readily apparent that the front and rear restraining rods or members 80 are independently operated, so that the vframe D may be movably swung on a front or rear axis for elevating either end thereof, as desired.

The rotary mixing drum or container E eomprises a cylindrical shaped body ortion 90, of preferably uniform external diameter from end to end, having a preferably imperforate front wall 91. At the rear end 'thereof it is provided with a tapered relatively long neck portion 92, which uniformly tapers with a decreasing diameter to an outlet opening at the extreme rear end thereof, Whereat the improved closure means 94, to be subsequently described, is mounted. The cylindrical body 90 of the mixing drum of course bears in the lower and upper sets of cradles above described, and it is provided with annular fixed tracks or flanges 97 and 98, at the front and rear ends thereof respectively, whichguide the rotary movement of the drum in the grooves of the front and rear sets of bearing pulleys or rollers 42 and 52, as above mentioned. There is thus no chance. of axial displacement of the mixing drum from the movable frame D. The tapered neck portion 92 of the'mixing drum extends rearwardly beyond the rear end of the chassis, the base frame C, and the movable frame D. y

As additional bracingmeans for the cradle devices which-support the rotary sector drum, side and top horizontal beams or rails 95 are provided, extending in a connected relation between the standard 39 and upper cradles 47 and 48, as shown in Figures 1 Iand 3 of the drawings.

In order to insure against slipping of the batch of cementitious material, in the cylindrical body portion 90 of the mixing drum, the latter is internally provided with front and rear sets of elongated angle cleats 99 and 100 respectively, which extend longitudinally upon the internal periphery of the body 90 of the mixing drum; the rear set of cleats 99 being staggered with respect to the set of cleats 100. These cleats 99 and 100 are angle-shaped in cross section, and mounted as shown in Figure 13 with the flanged portions 101 and 102 thereof having their free edges welded or otherwise secured to the inner w'alls of the container body 90, and with the apices thereof facing radially towards the axis of the mixing drum. Thus the outer surfaces of the sides 101 and. 102

slope to permit the concrete or cementitious material to pass thereover during a rotary mixing action, tending to throw the same into the body of the batch, and it is to be noted that this will be true independent of the direction in which the mixing drum is ro.- tated. In the tapered neck portion 92 of the mixing drum other movement restraining cleats 104 are provided,'which are likewise -of angular formation, but the same. are

mounted so that one leg 105 of each is abutted against and secured to to the lnner wall of the neck portion and the other leg 106 extends substantially radially, presenting an obstruction which tends to prevent slipping of the mass during a rotary action, and tending to guide the same more axial than otherwise, which will most effectively deposit the same on the job or in a truck during a dumping operation.

Referring vto the closure `lconstruction 94 of the mixing drum, the same includes a countershaft 192 also mounted on the frame platform 25. This shaft 192 is provided with a spring urged pinion or gear 193 splined thereon, which is normally urged by the springA 194 to a position out of geared connection with a pinion 195 which'is carried by the shaft 196 of either of the gears 174 or 175 of the gear pump 173. The splined movement of the gear- 193 permits the same to be moved into meshingrelation withpthe pinion 195, so that the gear pump may be selectively driven through the power. plant G,vas is quite obvious. This movement may be accomplished thru a bel-l crank lever 197, shown in Figure 4, which has an operating connection at 198 with a shaft 199 bearing longitudinally in another hollow shaft 200 at a side of the frame beam 23, as shown in Figure 1; the inner shaft 199 extending rearwardly and having an operating lever 201 by which the operator may turn the shaft 199 and move the gear 193 into or out of meshing relation with the pinion 195.

To elevate vthe frameD, and of course the mixing drum therewith, \the pump 173 is placed for circulating the liquid which lills the cylinder andthe pump and conduit; the gears 174 and 175 rotating so as to force the oil or other liquid through the conduit 176 and into the fore end of the cylinder 170 against the piston 171 moving the same rearwardly for elevating the lazy tong construction. During this operation the valve 181 is closed and the oil in the front part of the cylinder by-passes thru the conduit 178 into the gear pulp, in a manner which is readily apparent. hen the frame B is to be lowered, such may be accomplished by shutting olf operation of the gear pump, and opening the'val've 181 to the extent desired, which permits the oil to by-pass from the front end of the cylinder, under pressure .b reason of the load which is supported on t e frame D, so that the oil passes through the fore part of the cylinder and permits the frame D and the .load supported thereby to be gradually lowered to the extent and with the desired speed, depending upon the extent to which the valve 181 is opened. The valve 181 is manually operated, through a lever system 205 operatively connected with the hollow shaft 200 above mentioned, as shown in Figure 1 as extending rearwardly where it is -provided with an operating handle 207, for

rotating the same. Of course suitable bearings are provided for the hollow shaft200, so that the shafts -199 and 200 may be independently rotated. The lever arrangements `for the parts above described and operating means are all centered at the rear end o f the device, for a unitary control by a singleoperator.

Referring to the drive means K for rotating the mixing drum E, a side shaft construction 210 is provided, shown 1n Figure 4 anism 217, shown in Eigure 4 as havin a driving connection thru suitable sproc et means with the shaft 190 of the power plant Gr. The other section. 212 of the shaft structure 210l extends rearwardly through aV i pivoted .bearin yoke 220, within which it is provided wit a pinion bevel gear 221, as shown in Figure 4. A.' bracket 225 best detailed in Figure-10, is ixedly mounted upony the movable frame D, as upon a standard 39, and `auxiliary standard 39' provided therefor,'as shown in Figure 1, and which bracket 225 is provided with bearing arms or extentions 227 and 228 apertured for rotatably receiving a shaft 230 therein, upon suitable bearing sleeves 231 and 232, as shown in Figure 1. This shaft 230 between the arms 227 f and 288 is provided with a sprocket wheel 240, which is shown in Figure 4, adapted to receive a chain thereover, as shown at 241 in Figure' 5 of the drawin s, and elsewhere, and which chain is traine over-an Aannular sprocket 250 provided circumferentially about the mixing drum E, and fixed thereto, as shown in Figure 3.

It is quite apparent that upon rotation of the shaft structure 210, the shaft 2,30 will be rotated, due to the fact that the pinion or bevel gear 221 above described meshes with a bevel gear 260, shown in Figure 11 of the drawings, which is keyed on the pivot pin 261 which pivots the U-shaped yoke 220 upon an end of the bracket frame 225 above described. The bevel gear 260, of course, meshes with a pinion bevel gear 265 keyed to the shaft 230, as shown in Figure 4.

Independent ofthe raised or lowered positioning of the mixing drum, and. independent ofthe actual movement thereof, the rotary drive of the mixing drum may be accomplished and will continue, by reason of the telescopic splined connection of the shaft sections 211 and 212, as is. quite apparent from Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings. i

Many of the operating details, such as the control of the power plant andparts may be taken care of throu h systems of levers.

extending to the rear o the truck or framework.

It is quite apparent that the relatively long mixer will enable the expeditious mixing of large batches of cement, wh1ch may be lilled to capacity by elevating the rear end of the container to the posit-ion shown in Figure 3.

Various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts ma be made-to the form' of invention herein s own and described.

Without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

We claim:

l. In a concrete mixing device the combination of a frame, a rotary mixing drum, means for releasably pivoting the rotary mixing drum at each end upon said frame, and hoisting means to hoist the rotary mixing drum on the edective pivot means at one end of the drum for elevating the other end of the drum.

2. In combination an elongated container,

vmeans to position the elongated container tially horizontal on the frame, means releasably pivoting each end of the container upon the frame so that either end may be elevated, hoisting means to elevate or lower the Acontainer on its effective pivot axis, and means for rotary driving said container independent ofts horizontal or elevated relation at either en 4. In a mixer a sub-frame, a movable frame, pivot means at both ends of the movable frame by virtue of which the movable frame may be tipped in a selective effective relation at either end upon the sub-frame, means for hoisting the sub-frame on its effective pivot axis, and a mixing drum operatively and movably mounted upon said movable frame.

5. In a mixer a sub-frame, a movable frame, pivot means at both ends of the movable frame by virtue of which the movable frame may be tipped in a selective effective relation at either end upon the sub-frame, means for hoisting the sub-frame on its effective pivot axis, a mixing drum operatively and movably mounted upon said movable frame, said mixing drum being rotatably mounted on the movable frame, and means to cause such rotation of the drum during any positioning of the same and during an elevating or lowering movement thereof. V

6. In a mixer, a sub-frame, a movable frame, pivot means at both ends of the movable frame by virtue of which the movable frame may be tipped in a selective effective relation at either end upon the sub-frame, means for hoisting the sub-frame on its effectivepivot axis, a mixing drum operatively and movably mounted upon said movable frame, said mixing drum being rotatably mounted on the movable frame, means to cause such rotation of the drum during any positioning of the same and during an elevating or lowering movement thereof, the

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drum at one end having a closure for inlet and discharge of contents.

'i'. A rotary mixing drum compr1sing a body having the internal Walls thereof provided with angle-like cleats extending longitudinally thereof, which angle-like cleats have opposite surfaces sloping to an. apex,

With said surfaces non-radial to the container 9. In a mixing device a slib-frame, a movable frame, a mixing drum rotatable on the movable frame, and duplicatevmeans for se-l lectively pivoting the movable frame at either end thereof upon the sub-frame.

10. In a mixing device a sub-frame, a movable frame, a mixing drum rotatable on the movable frame, duplicate means for selectively pivoting the movable frame at either end thereof upon -the sub-frame, each of said duplicate means including bearings on the sub-frame, a pin connection on the movable frame for said bearings and movable thereinto or thereout, and counter-Weighted detent means for releasably holding the pins in said bearings.

11. In a mixing device a sub-frame, a movable frame, a mixing drum rotatable on the movable frame, duplicate means for selectively pivoting the movable frame at either end thereof upon the sub-frame, each of said duplicate means including bearings on the sub-frame, a pin connection on the movable frame for said bearings and movable thereinto or thereout, counter-Weighted detent means for releasably holding the. pins in said bearings, and means for holding the counter-A weighted detent means against release of said pins.

CHARLES K. MARKS.

WALTER G. WEINHOLD. 

